Neil Nitin Mukesh is at it again, playing a negative protagonist in his latest release this week, Ek Chatur Naar. As Neil (the name was inspired by the world’s first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, and he was christened by none other than Lata Mangeshkar, who thought that he was an extraordinarily fair baby) puts it, “It is tough to play black in a film where every other character is gray!”
Since his now-cult debut in Johnny Gaddaar all of 18 years ago, Neil Nitin Mukesh has steadfastly shown a yen for black and gray characters, as we have seen with his biggies, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Golmaal Again, apart from many others. New York, Saaho, Jail, the Tamil Kaththi and others also did not exactly see him in pure white tones. And Neil has got several awards for his portrayals as well.
I chat up with the actor on his latest release and more.
Excerpts from an interview
Q: What is Ek Chatur Naar all about, as the title refers to a female protagonist?
A: I have certain boxes that need to be ticked before I take on any film and all of them were ticked here. First, if I feel like watching such a film as narrated to me, then I want to be a part of it. Two, if my character is important and takes the story forward, then I am in. Three, the director is a major key. I have been lucky to work with about 12 National Award-winning directors, like Sooraj R. Barjatya, Sriram Raghavan, Madhur Bhandarkar, Vishal Bhardwaj and Kabir Khan, and Umesh Shukla is one of them. Four, the production house is very important as you need to be sure of a proper release when you are going to put your best foot forward.
Q: So, it is okay if the heroine, Divya Khosla, is not only playing the title role but also it is a home production for her?
A: I have never been bothered about such things! I am not insecure. I have worked with super-stars like Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan and even Amitabh Bachchan apart from big-name heroines like Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Deepika Padukone. As I said, it is my role that matters along with the other aspects.
Q: Umesh Shukla is a stage veteran apart from making movies like OMG—Oh My God! and 102 Not Out. Do you think that gives him the edge in his directorial abilities in movies?
A: I consider Umesh sir to be one of the finest directors I have worked with, and he surprised me with his great sense of humor. His basic understanding of characters and making them relatable is his biggest asset. As for the stage part, getting to know the pulse of a live audience is a great knack he has developed. When you bring that understanding to celluloid it means that a sequence can be pre-emptively judged and if need be corrected. His stage experience makes it possible.
Q: There is a powerful ensemble cast in Ek Chatur Naar. Would you say that such artistes enhance your performance when you perform scenes with them?
A: Definitely! I am glad you mentioned them! I am reuniting with Zakir Hussain 18 years after Johnny Gaddaar. I have many scenes with him and with Sushant Singh. Then there is also Geeta Agarwal Sharma—what an actor! There are also Chhaya Kadam and Yashpal Sharma. I have been very fortunate in the past to work with talents as huge as Irrfan Khan and Vinay Pathak as well. Every time I am in front of such an actor I am intimidated, but I am intimidated in a good way, if you understand what I mean.
Q: That leaves your heroine!
A (Smiles): I think that this is Divya’s finest performance to date. She has worked the hardest and is very amusing as a Lucknowi girl, with all the Tehzeeb and more.
Q: Would you call Ek Chatur Naar a dark comedy?
A: It is both a dark comedy and a thriller, and my first such film after Johnny Gaddaar. Divya and I complement each other. Like without a Tom, there can be no Jerry. Ek Chatur Naar is a thriller but very rooted. It is a comment on how the youth want to make money through shortcuts. This leads to big problems like blackmail, but all this is unfolded in a comic, satirical way. It’s a breezy entertainer. I am the nadi kinarewala (affluent) guy and she is the naale kinare (poor) girl. The message is: never underestimate the common man.
Q: Where do you see Indian cinema going?
A: Cinema has definitely shifted, but we are still testing the waters. We cannot forget our culture but must still be modern in thought.
Q: You come from a rich musical legacy. Your grandfather Mukesh and father Nitin Mukesh are legends. What about your own inclinations in that field?
A: Oh, I love music. I sing, compose and play the piano. I am planning a single that will be a really nice homage to my legacy.
